Association between serum cotinine levels and cognitive function in Americans aged 60 and older: A cross-sectional study
Tobacco exposure shows a measurable link to cognitive decline in older adults, identifying a modifiable lifestyle risk factor for brain health in aging.
Using NHANES data (n=2781 adults ≥60), this cross-sectional study found a significant inverse L-shaped association between serum cotinine levels and cognitive function, with harm below an inflection threshold and plateau above it, highlighting tobacco exposure as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline in aging populations. The finding supports cotinine as a useful biomarker for monitoring tobacco-related cognitive risk.
What the study was
- Study design
- Cross-sectional study
- Population
- US adults aged ≥60 years (NHANES 2011-2014); n=2781
- Sample size
- 2781
- Category
- Public Health
- Maturity
- Exploratory
- Journal
- Medicine (Baltimore)
Why it surfaced
NHANES-based cross-sectional study; decent n=2781; L-shaped relationship with cotinine and cognition is methodologically novel but cross-sectional design limits causal inference. Scored 5.
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